Current and Upcoming Exhibitions at Arizona State Museum

February 15–March 15, 2016Shakespeare at ASM
Mark your calendar for this rare opportunity to celebrate the greatest playwright of the English language! Come to ASM to see an actual and extremely rare "First Folio," a collection of Shakespeare's plays published in 1623, on loan from the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC. Read more here and listen to an NPR story here. (Image courtesy Folger Shakespeare Library.)

July 14–December 11, 20151519 Rebellion: Itom Luturia (Our Truth)Featuring the work of Pascua Yaqui artists Raul Osuna, Luis Rodriguez, and Mario Valencia, owners/operators of 1519 Rebellion, this exhibit introduces us to the myriad issues the Yaqui people face today on both sides of the international border. Each artist, through his paintings, addresses issues such as family, culture, identity, heritage, water rights, and social justice.

Art work and Items from this exhibit are for sale through Native Goods, the museum store.

Virgin of Guadalupe, from the private collection of Gloria Fraser Giffords and the Giffords family.

Now through May 2016Intimacy of Faith
Featuring retablos and ex-votos from the private collection of Gloria Fraser Giffords and the Giffords family, this exhibit explores the material expressions of petition and gratitude within the Mexican folk religious tradition.

This exhibit was made possible through the cooperation of Gloria Fraser Giffords and the Giffords family, through the
collaborative efforts of several campus and community partners, and with the support of many individuals, including
major funding from Frank and Betsy Babb, Ed and Berny Burke, Jack Dulaney, Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly, Melissa Giffords, Diana Hadley, and Jean Schroeter.

Explore the art of the potter and the science of the archaeologist as Arizona State Museum celebrates 2,000 years of Native pottery-making traditions in the Southwest. At 20,000+ whole vessels, ASM’s collection of Southwest Indian pottery is the world’s largest and most comprehensive! The Pottery Project features the Arnold and Doris Roland Wall of Pots, the Agnese and Emil Haury Southwest Native Nations Pottery Vault, a state-of-the-art conservation laboratory. The exhibit includes a test version of the "Virtual Vault," video interviews with archaeologists and Native potters, and hands-on experiences.

See, hear, and touch highlights of the Yaqui, O’odham, Apache, Navajo, and Hopi sections of the ground-breaking Paths of Life exhibition with knowledgeable guides. A full tour covers five culture groups and lasts 60 minutes, but can be customized to include two or three culture groups and shortened to 30 or45 minutes upon request. While docent tours are geared toward adults, all ages are welcome.

Tours are free with paid admission.

Tour Schedule

Special Request tours are scheduled in advance online, and allow you to request and reserve the tour of your choice at a specific start time. Special Request tours are available for groups of four or more, and required for groups of 10 or more. See below for tour options and instructions.

Drop-in tours are the same as “Special Request” tours, but are provided on a first-come / first-served basis during regular docent shifts, Monday–Saturday afternoons October 1 through April 30. Drop-in tours start at 1 p.m. If the 1 p.m tours are full and there is enough demand, docents will be available to repeat tours or answer questions until 3 p.m.Ask at the front desk for drop-in tour availability when you visit ASM!

Waiting for Grandfather, a 168 cm. tall limestone sculpture by Taos Pueblo artist John Suazo, graces the entrance to ASM's south building. A gift from the family of Burt and Brenda Lazar, “Waiting for Grandfather” was installed by Arizona State Museum January 2013 and is among more than 40 outdoor public art installations that enhance the University of Arizona campus.

“Every detail has meaning to me because every piece begins deep inside me,” the artist says. “The young woman is waiting anxiously to see Grandfather, to show her baby to him because he has not yet seen the child. The belt around her skirt is like the one my grandmother used to wear. The stairstep design at the bottom of the woman’s skirt represents the steps we take in life.
I hope that by looking at my work, one can find a missing piece of knowledge in themselves.”

Watercarrier, a bronze sculpture by Apache artist Craig Dan Goseyun, adorns the front entrance of ASM's north building. Purchased by Arnold and Doris Roland as a generous gift to the museum, "Watercarrier" represents one of the most vital elements to a desert community—water.

"Water is one of the most important resources. Practically all cultures throughout the world at one time or another transported their goods balanced on top of their head on the center of gravity. The woman is wearing a garment that covers her full body. The swirl represents the connection between the earth and sky." —Craig Dan Goseyun

Docent-led Orientation Tours

Get a taste and see the highlights of the current exhibits at Arizona State Museum! General orientation and overview tours last about 30 minutes.While docent tours are geared toward adults, all ages are welcome.

Tours are free with paid admission.

Tour Schedule

Special Request tours are scheduled in advance online, and allow you to request and reserve the tour of your choice at a specific start time. Special Request tours are available for groups of four or more, and required for groups of 10 or more. See below for tour options and instructions.

Drop-in tours are the same as “Special Request” tours, but are provided on a first-come / first-served basis during regular docent shifts, Monday–Saturday afternoons October 1 through April 30. Drop-in tours start at 1 p.m. If the 1 p.m tours are full and there is enough demand, docents will be available to repeat tours or answer questions until 3 p.m.Ask at the front desk for drop-in tour availability when you visit ASM!